A recent Asheboro Mayor's Fitness Hike to a 150 year old "Water Wall" provided more than just exercise. Hikers learned that clear cutting of forests by settlers in the Uwharrie Mountains during the 1800's set the stage for devastating erosion of the topsoil that the settlers needed to grow crops. The "Water Wall" was built in a feeble and back-breaking attempt to gather the washed away topsoil and haul it back to the hillside.

With all the clear cutting of forests that takes place in the same region of North Carolina these days - it really makes you wonder whether people have gotten any smarter over the last 150 years. (Thanks to Dr. Jim Rich for leading the hike!)